Padikkal, Karun shore up Karnatakaagainst Saurashtra

A mix of youthful ambition and skilled composure was on full show as Devdutt Padikkal (96, 141b, 11×4) and Karun Nair (73, 126b, 9×4) mixed for an important 146-run third-wicket stand to steer Karnataka to 295 for 5 at stumps on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group B match towards Saurashtra on the Niranjan Shah Stadium right here on Wednesday.

After electing to bat on a brilliant and sunny morning, skipper Mayank Agarwal and his opening associate S. Nikin Jose quickly discovered themselves beneath strain, as Saurashtra’s pacers — captain Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya — bowled disciplined traces and the right lengths.

Sensing the batters’ eagerness to interrupt free, Unadkat’s choice to introduce spin early paid off. Left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja struck twice, eradicating each openers — Mayank within the tenth over and Nikin within the 14th — leaving Karnataka in a precarious place at 26 for 2.

Padikkal and Karun adopted a affected person method to stabilise the innings. The duo rotated strike successfully and located the occasional boundary to maintain the scoreboard ticking. Once they bought their eye in, the pair started to attain freely, persistently piercing the gaps and placing the strain again on the house facet.

Padikkal was particularly extreme on something quick, arising with delicate cuts and highly effective pulls, whereas Karun manoeuvered the strike well as each batters reached their half-centuries.

Against the run of play, Dharmendra Jadeja broke the partnership, trapping Karun plumb in entrance, earlier than claiming his fourth wicket by castling Padikkal, who fell agonizingly wanting his century.

Ok.L. Shrijith’s keep on the crease was short-lived however R. Smaran (66 batting, 120b, 4×4, 2×6) and Shreyas Gopal (38 batting, 69b, 2×4, 2×6) added 81 runs for the sixth wicket and took the guests to 295 for 5 at shut of play.

Scores: Karnataka — 1st innings: S. Nikin Jose c Ansh b Dharmendra Jadeja 12, Mayank Agarwal c Chetan b Dharmendra Jadeja 2, Devdutt Padikkal b Dharmendra Jadeja 96, Karun Nair lbw b Dharmendra Jadeja 73, R. Smaran 66 (batting), Ok.L. Shrijith c Harvik b Yuvrajsinh 5, Shreyas Gopal 38 (batting); Extras: (nb-1, b-1, lb-1): 3; Total for 5 wickets (in 90 overs): 295.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-26, 3-172, 4-195, 5-214.

Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 14-2-36-0, Chetan 12-3-21-0, Dharmendra 30-3-100-4, Chirag 3-1-5-0, Prerak 3-1-14-0, Yuvrajsinh 19-2-79-1, Samar 9-0-38-0